Chennai: Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai on Friday dismissed the Income Tax department's rebuttal that no searches were conducted at places linked to him, reiterating that such operations were conducted, preventing him from attending Rahul Gandhi's rally on April 20.
Selvaperunthagai released videos and photographs of the purported search operations, which showed a car parked in front of a house and a few men entering a house. He claimed the men were I-T sleuths and that they switched off the CCTV camera at the house as soon as they arrived. "Why create fear during elections? I could not attend Rahul Gandhi's campaign because of the search," he said.
Details of the alleged search
He said the search took place at his office located in the house of DMK functionary Padappai Manoharan. "As soon as they entered, the officials asked, 'Where is the money?' and threatened people," he alleged.
Selvaperunthagai made the allegations a few days ago when he was questioned about his absence at Rahul's Kanyakumari rally. He alleged that he was restrained under the pretext of a search, preventing him from attending the campaign. Immediately, the I-T department released a statement denying the charge.
Demand for white paper
Questioning the denial, he said, "Why hide the truth? Under the guise of a search, Income Tax officials are indulging in excesses. The department should release a white paper."
The Congress leader's claims come amid heightened political activity in Tamil Nadu, with the Lok Sabha elections underway. The IT department has maintained that no such searches were conducted, but Selvaperunthagai's video evidence has added a new dimension to the controversy.
